Will there be a major rule change this season regarding the use of instruments on American Idol? Nigel hints, maybe yes.
Nigel Lythgoe tells People magazine:
“People sort of lost a little bit behind instruments. I see no reason why we won’t use guitars and pianos at least once or twice across the season, but I don’t just want them everyday behind the bloody guitar.”
Instruments aren’t the problem! The problem is CASTING. Cast the show well, make the kids the focus of the show, let their talents shine through and you’ll have a show, Nigel….
He also says, in so many words, that Jennifer Lopez will be the toughest of the three judges.
“Randy has become very, very positive, ” said Lythgoe. “Jennifer actually critiques what’s in front of her. She doesn’t just throw out glib remarks. She listens, she weighs it up and then she says how she feels. Then I think with Steven, who doesn’t have a bad bone in his body, finds it very difficult to say ‘you suck’ to anybody.”
Also, forget guest mentors and judges:
“I’m not sure I’m going to use any guest judges, to be frank, ” he said. “We’ve got an entire record company behind it now with Interscope. We’ve got Jimmy Iovine and all of his producers . . . You’ve got real professionals here. I don’t know why I need anyone else. They’ll just get in the way.”
Jimmy Iovine’s role on Idol is going to really add a different dynamic to the show. It’ll be interesting to watch.
